1) I absolutely love the two main characters. They are complex and likable, with relatable problems and great chemistry. They’re excellent foils for each other, without being caricatures. Alex Henning, the hot, brawny construction worker with equally heavyweight brains, a heart of gold, and unexpected emotional depths, will remain one of my all-time favorite characters. It’s also a good emotional coming-of-age story for gun-shy Gideon Wallace, whose early experience left him too cautious to enjoy a real relationship. Really an enjoyable story. Loved it.2) I loved the variety of characters, the interesting setting, and the real life issues they all had to deal with. Gideon and Alex, along with the supporting cast, have a variety of situations and issues they are faced with, their work is not just a thing mentioned in passing, and they are forced to deal with how life, love, friendship, and daily mishaps blend together to create a whirlwind they have to untangle. The story challenges both characters and the reader to look beyond their fears and prejudice, without lecturing anyone. Lessons are learned the way they should be: to trial and frequent errors. As the plot develops, the characters show more of themselves, and everything, including the romance, seems very real.3) This was a wonderful book, especially if you like holiday stories. The characters were well thought out and original. The plot was interesting and nicely wound through the romance. I loved the geeky chapter headers as well. The only thing I wish were different presentation wise is that Alex should be on the cover in a meaningful way. We have this wonderful IR relationship, and Alex is described so beautifully. I find it odd that the way more intriguingly described PoC was not on the cover. I would love to know why the publisher ultimately made that decision.

After the disastrous ending of his first serious relationship, Gideon Wallace cultivated a protective—but fabulously shiny—outer shell to shield himself from Heartbreak 2.0. Besides, romance is so not a priority for him right now. All his web design prospects have inexplicably evaporated, and to save his fledgling business, he’s been compelled to take a hands-on hardware project—as in, his hands on screwdrivers, soldering irons, and needle-nosed pliers. God. Failure could actually be an option.

Journeyman electrician Alex Henning is ready to leave Gideon twisting in the wind after their run-ins both on and off the construction site. Except, like a fool, he takes pity on the guy and offers to help. Never mind that between coping with his dad’s dementia and clocking all the overtime he can finagle, he has zero room in his life for more complications.

Apparently, an office build-out can lay the foundation for a new relationship. Who knew? But before Alex can trust Gideon with the truth about his fragile family, he has to believe that Gideon’s capable of caring about more than appearances. And Gideon must learn that when it comes to the heart, it’s content—not presentation—that matters.